The best performers from Super Rugby Pacific round four

Declan Meredith (Brumbies) 

The Brumbies beat the Blues 21-20 to accomplish their first win at Eden Park since 2013. The visitors were down 20-10 at half time before holding the hosts scoreless in the second half with a committed and disciplined forward display and an assured and astute performance from first five Meredith, who scored a try and kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Originally from Queensland, Meredith had a brief spell at the Warathas. He has been with the Brumbies since 2023 but hadn’t started a match until an injury to Wallaby Noah Lolesio this season.

Brumbies coach and former Wallabies ten Stephen Larkham (102 Tests, 130 points, 68 wins) singled out Meredith afterwards.

“He’s got all the skills and was kicking exceptionally well tonight. He’s got a really good passing game and he’s growing in confidence,” Larkham said.

In 15 appearances for the Brumbies Meredith has 11 wins and 25 points. By contrast, fellow ten Jack Debreczeni has played 88 Super Rugby games for the Rebels, Chiefs, and Brumbies.

Larkham might see some of himself in the 25-year-old. In 2001 he played first-five for the Brumbies in their 35-7 thumping of the Blues at Eden Park.

Larkham was the Brumbies assistant coach when the Brumbies beat the Blues 20-15 in 2013 at Eden Park. Christian Pharaoh Leali’ifano kicked five penalties and Nic White scored a try for the Brumbies.

Blindside flanker Tom Hooper was huge with 20 carries and 19 tackles.

Meanwhile, prop James Slipper played his 186th Super Rugby match which took him to second on the all-time appearances list. Slipper played 104 games (50 wins) for the Reds between 2010 and 2018. He was part of the Reds 2011 Super Rugby winning squad. He has played 82 games (60 wins) for the Brumbies.

Miracle Faiilagi (Moana Pasifika)

The dynamic blindside flanker became the first Moana Pasifika player to score three tries in a single game in the 40-31 win over the Hurricanes.

Fai?ilagi had scored two tries in a match twice previously; something that had happened on a dozen occasions in Moana Pasifika history.

The Hurricanes are the first New Zealand team to lose to Moana Pasifika twice. The visitors were thoroughly outplayed in the first hour with Moana Pasifika regularly punching over the gain line, dominating tackle collisions and controlling the scrum. Fai?ilagi added 10 tackles to his superlative attacking output.

Fai?ilagi could earn a recall for Samoa if his explosive form continues. He played four Tests in 2023 against Japan (24-22), Tonga (34-9), Ireland (13-17) and England (17-18).

No.8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa was equally effective with 17 carries and a dozen tackles. Tellingly, Moana Pasifika won despite the injury-enforced departure of talisman Ardie Savea (94 Tests, 28 Tries, 68 wins) at half time.

Meli Derenalagi (Fijian Dura)

The Fijian Dura became the first team to conquer the Chiefs with a 28-24 victory in heavy rain in Suva.

With opportunity restricted to employ the backs expansively a fierce battle in the close quarters ensued and the 34-Test Fijian No.8 thrived with ten tackles, ten carries and a try. The Chiefs loose forwards haven’t been collectively bettered until Saturday.

The Dura have achieved 12 of their 15 Super Rugby victories in Fiji at 70%.

Will Jordan (Crusaders)

The Crusaders are a different beast with Will Jordan who missed the whole of 2024 injured. Already the 14-time champions have won two matches, something that took them eight games in 2023; Jordan scored two tries and created another in the comfortable 43-19 win against the Red who beat the Crusaders in Christchurch last year.

Jordan has scored 40 tries in 55 appearances for the Crusaders but the last time the All Blacks ace (41 Tests, 38 tries, 27 wins) had scored more than two tries in a game, something he’s done nine times for the Crusaders, was in a 53-15 win against the Force in 2022.

Jordan looks reinvigorated and incisive.

“The way the game’s being refereed and played … high tempo, there’s a lot of back and forth, turnovers, big efforts required,” Jordan said.

“I love playing open, free-flowing footy. The standard so far, the competition among the team’s been great, it’s great to be a part of it.”

In the forwards, Tasman lock Antonio Shalfoon has been rewarded with big minutes for some industrious and physically imposing performances.